Enhancing Event Broadcasting at Johns Hopkins University’s Shriver Hall with PTZOptics
Enhancing Event Broadcasting at Johns Hopkins University's Shriver Hall with PTZOptics
Johns Hopkins University’s Shriver Hall is an iconic venue that plays host to numerous prestigious events, from academic presentations to special ceremonies, including “hooding ceremonies” for students earning master’s or doctoral degrees. However, the auditorium was never originally designed with audiovisual (AV) setups in mind. This presented a unique challenge for the AV Events team, who were tasked with equipping the space with modern video production capabilities without the infrastructure typically found in purpose-built AV environments.
To overcome this challenge, the team turned to PTZOptics cameras. Their decision to install six PTZOptics Move 4K 30X cameras allowed them to capture professional-grade video with minimal disruption to the auditorium’s design. A key reason for selecting PTZOptics cameras was their ability to transmit video, control, and power through a single Ethernet cable. This feature, known as Power over Ethernet (PoE), drastically reduced the number of cables needed, simplifying the installation process and cutting down setup time. By minimizing cabling requirements, the AV team was able to efficiently create a comprehensive AV solution, despite the limitations of the existing infrastructure.
The cameras are all connected to a PTZOptics SuperJoy controller, allowing for seamless remote operation from the media station located at the back of the auditorium. The SuperJoy’s intuitive control system lets the AV team easily manage camera movements, presets, and angles during live events, ensuring smooth transitions and high-quality video coverage. Additionally, each camera is integrated with a BlackMagic video switcher, providing the capability to switch between multiple video sources and overlay graphics such as lower-thirds, which are particularly useful during events that feature multiple speakers or presenters.
A recent addition to the system is the installation of PTZOptics Hive, a cloud-based platform that enables remote control and monitoring of the cameras. Hive has significantly improved the workflow for the AV team, particularly during complex events that require precise camera management. The Hive system allows the team to remotely color match the cameras from multiple angles, ensuring visual consistency across all camera feeds. This is especially critical in Shriver Hall, where events often include a combination of close-ups of speakers, wide-angle shots of the audience, and other dynamic perspectives.
The PTZOptics Move SE, Move 4K, and SuperJoy products used in Shriver Hall have also received HETMA (Higher Education Technology Managers Association) Certification. This prestigious certification is awarded to products that have been rigorously tested by educational institutions worldwide and have demonstrated proficiency in meeting the complex audio-visual needs of higher education environments. The fact that Johns Hopkins selected HETMA-certified products underscores their commitment to deploying reliable and innovative AV technology.
In conclusion, the implementation of PTZOptics cameras and the integration of PTZOptics Hive at Johns Hopkins University’s Shriver Hall has not only solved the challenges posed by the auditorium’s original design but also elevated the university’s ability to broadcast high-quality live events. With a streamlined setup process, remote camera control, and enhanced color matching capabilities, the AV team is now better equipped to manage and produce professional-grade video for a wide range of academic and ceremonial events. This case study exemplifies how modern AV technology can transform even the most challenging environments into state-of-the-art production spaces.
